Issued: 28 May 2024
Thousands of secondary school pupils across the Highlands are being given advice on how to look after their smiles as part of National Smile Month (18 May - 17 June).
NHS Highland's oral health experts are touring schools bet ween now and the end of term to speak to all first year pupils.
The best thing young people can do to keep their smiles is to brush their teeth at least once during the day and again just before bedtime using a fluoride toothpaste. They're also advised not to rinse away the toothpaste because it helps strengthen their teeth.
Oral health is closely linked to general physical wellbeing and the young people are also advised to eat well, to protect their teeth during sport, and to quench thirst after sport with water rather than fizzy drinks.
To encourage the pupils to drink water they'll each be given a water bottle to use at school. The bottles bear the 'Your Choice' brand; created with the support of Highland young people who wanted health promotions information to be 'Your Choice' and the bottles also carry the message "make your body happy, drink more water".
Oral health promoter Miranda Moodie said: "We're visiting the schools during National Smile Month to give the young people the information they need so they can make health choices that will look after their teeth. This complements the work already done in schools encouraging healthy living. Sport is great for our physical health so we don't want to discourage young people from participating but we are advising them to wear mouth guards when they are taking part in contact sports."